Oh that's fantastic Bug - well done! Sounds like it's come at a good time for you as well, make sure you spend a little on yourself! Nxx

Thank you Bilbo - I'm terrible at writing things like this usually, will just do something concise, will keep it to one side as well. Nx

Firstly thanks to those who have helped me so far with my application, I really appreciate it. My supervisors are just looking at the second draft of my proposal now, hopefully they will like it.

I just need to write my personal statement now, but at PhD level surely the proposal is more important? They all know me very well as I've been there for four years and they have accepted me so this is a formality, but obviously I still want it to be good. Does anyone have any tips for writing a good PhD personal statement?

Thanks, Nxx

Hi KB, I wish I could have replied to this sooner. I want to echo what everyone else has said as well, you have helped me through my numerous difficulties during my Masters with such empathy and compassion, you are one of the most warm-hearted people I 'know', without even meeting you.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time, but I think the good thing is that you have pinpointed it before it has become too much for you to deal with yourself, and have taken some time out to relax. Only you know yourself, but I think you'll be able to get back on track after a few days to yourself, thinking of yourself only. I'm pleased that you are having a break as you work so hard, but it's a shame that it's because you're going through a down stage.

I'll be thinking of you, like everyone else here. I hope you start to feel a little better soon, hope to hear from you next week, after a week without looking at a computer if that's what you wish!

Take care,
Natassia xxx

Hi - thanks for the replies! I think I'll definitely contact her, but wait until my proposal has been finalised and accepted, hopefully by the end of the week. Some of her work is related to my MSc dissertation as well so it would make sense to email her before I start my PhD, I'm more confident about doing this now. Hopefully she'll be pleased that I'm doing a bit more research in the area as it's very limited at the moment.

Nxx

I've been out and ridden the horse, had a shower and washed my hair so feel ready to do something productive.

Goal 1 - finish doing the amendments to my proposal to email to supervisor, hopefully by 1pm

Goal 2 - finish reading a short-ish book I'm 1/2 way through and start summarising

Have a good day everyone :-)

You probably do flirt, I think everyone does in their own way. And not always when it's someone they fancy, sometimes it's just to get what they want from someone, for example. Maybe this person is a bit shy?

From what you've said I do think they're interested in you, another thing to look out for it if they ask you loads of questions, then remember everything you say, but recall it in a way that makes it seem that they don't quite remember, when they can. So that they're pretending not to remember to look 'cool' about it. Does that make sense?

Hi everyone, I know I keep starting threads with silly questions but this is quite exciting, well I think it is anyway!

The PhD that I am starting in September is in an emerging discipline (psychology/sociology hybrid), and I have been told it is very original and a little bit strange, but in a good way. I'm really looking forward to starting it. I have recently read an excellent article in a well-known journal, and have been really inspired by it, it was really reassuring to read something that has been done on a similar area, using a similar approach. I looked up who wrote it and she is a well known professor at a university quite far away from me, I will probably use a lot of her work in the future, I was surprised I hadn't come across her before.

I had a meeting with my supervisor this morning about my MSc dissertation, he is going to supervise my PhD as well so we were talking about how they were going to connect. I mentioned this paper and who wrote it, and he knows her and told me how friendly she was and that I should get in contact with her as my topic is so original, she would be good to speak to. I really want to, from her photo she looks like a really friendly and approachable person, but what should I say? Would it be appropriate to do so at this stage? I think she would be interested in my research, and I do want to branch out and get to know other academics as I'm staying at the university where I did my undergraduate degree so haven't had much chance to do that so far.

Any advice on early networking appreciated!

Natassia xx

Sounds like a very difficult and frustrating situation, but you seem to be coping brilliantly! I guess it's character building, not that you need it.

Let us know when you're home and safe, and I hope things start to sort themselves out soon :-)

Nxx

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Hi, I don't like to make assumptions on things like this as every university has different regulations. Did you have an interview for your MA course? I think that with a 2:2 that high, you will probably be ok - it might be a good idea to email the admissions tutor though, or somebody else at UWE who you have been in contact with to make sure. Dependant on what the exam board decide, you may get 2:1, sometimes they push it up a bit if you're close to the next grade. I hope that's helped a bit, and good luck.

Like others have said, you definitely aren't too old. I'm finishing my MSc at the moment and was 21 when I started it, but was the youngest on my course by a few years, you seem to get a much bigger age range on postgraduate courses. Sometimes I think I would have done better if I didn't go straight through as well, sounds like you have a lot of work experience to add to your qualifications.

Thank you KB and Sneaks - very reassuring! I do get on really well with this supervisor, probably more than the others so I think that in time we will develop a good working relationship. Since she has started to supervise me rather than just be another tutor offering advice, she has been more of a taskmaster type person and is pushing me more, which of course is what I want PhD supervision to be about. I can't wait to start, I hope I do take to it like a duck to water!

I hope your supervisor gets back in contact with you soon Sneaks, that must be very frustrating.

Thank you all for the replies - I think I'm going through a learning curve here as I'm developing my new identity as a PhD student (as my department seem to see it) and adjusting to the new ways of working and being evaluated. I know I should worry less about criticism, and it will make me much better as a result, in time for writing it all up!

Chris that's really interesting about the finished thesis differing a lot from the proposal - I never really thought of that before. Hope you're getting on ok.

She's just sent me a nice email telling me that it really wasn't that terrible and that this was all part of the process, so not so worried now, just want to get my application done and dusted so that I can enjoy my dissertation!

Nxx

I'm finishing my MSc at the moment and trying to prepare for PhD life, I start in October this year, at the same university, with three supervisors who I get on well with. Although I have a place I need to write a proposal as a formality, that needs to be in by next Wednesday. Two of my supervisors are writing references for me, and the other one agreed to look over my proposal, she said she was really looking forward to it. I emailed her a draft version last night - I have never written a proposal before so I told her what I knew the weak areas were and what I was most concerned about.

She emailed me back this afternoon and I don't think she liked it very much, she is fine with what I am doing, but it does not read exactly like a proposal at the moment, basically some areas need expanding, and I need to be more explicit about what my PhD will actually be doing. It wasn't that bad, and I guess nothing I write is going to be perfect first time, is it normal to have quite a few amendments to make before submitting a first proposal? I feel a bit deflated really, like I'm not cut out to do a PhD if I can't even get this bit right :-(

Natassia xx

Sounds like a wonderful feeling AL - I'm really pleased for you! I love happy weeks like that, but they are a bit few and far between at the moment! I was a bit like that last week as I've just finished the taught part of my Masters, but after a few days I realised that I still have my dissertation to do, which I am going to enjoy, then onto my PhD!

Have a lovely week, enjoy it, Nxx